CHC Lesson Plans: Eighth Grade

MATHEMATICS
Exponents: know the quotient rule, know the power theorem, use the yx calculator key
Roots: add and multiply radical expressions, find roots of large numbers, solve radical equations
Simplify radical, polynomial, and rational expressions (multiply, add, factor, divide)
Algebraic skills: define domain, range, independent variable, and dependent variable; use function notation; use the vertical line test; represent functions as ordered pairs
Graph linear equations, find roots of equations, quadratic equations, etc.
Lines, points, segments, and planes; polygons; triangles; circles; geometric solids; area

LANGUAGE ARTS
Increased reading comprehension and vocabulary
Appreciating lyric, epic, and dramatic poetry; understanding Shakespeare’s plays; literary devices such as meter, voice and speaker, irony (verbal, dramatic, and situational), motif, synecdoche, types of plays (tragedy, comedy, history, romance), soliloquy
Parts of Speech: elusive subjects, appositive nouns, helping verbs, verb tenses, comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs, functions of a preposition, subordinating conjunctions
Usage: functions of dependent clauses, adverbial clauses, diagramming a participle, gerunds
Mechanics: apostrophes, joint ownership, possessive personal pronouns and adjectives, hyphens
Composition: diction, citation format, persuasive writing, thesis statements, dialogue in a story, narrative writing, creative writing, writing about prose and poetry, writing poetry

SCIENCE
Earth’s orbit, seasons, lunar phases, eclipses; the atmosphere; weather and climate
Minerals and the rock cycle; plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes; weathering, erosion, soils
Ground and surface water; landforms and glaciers; geologic history; oceanography
Christian stewardship

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
The Scientific Revolution; the Age of Enlightenment; French Revolution; Napoleonic Wars
Romanticism; Liberalism; the Industrial Revolution
World War I; Fascism; Communism; the Spanish Civil War; World War II
Vatican II; the Nuclear Arms Race

RELIGION
Deeper understanding of the teachings of Holy Mother Church
Participation in the life of Christ through celebrating the liturgical seasons
Volunteer work in the home, the parish, and the community
High school preparation and discernment
Challenge of living the faith: service to others, sacrifice, obedience, prayer, charity

ELECTIVES

Product Code: LP8
Format: Softcover
Binding: Loose-leaf, 3-hole drilled
Page Count: 135 pages
Dimensions: 8.5″×11″
Returnable? No, view return policy.
Consumable? Yes, purchase one per student.
Answer key: None required.

Q: What is the difference between core and non-core subjects?

A: A helpful feature of CHC lesson plans is the distinction between core and non-core subjects. Core subjects are the “basic essentials” of education, often thought of as the “Three R’s.” Core subjects such as math, grammar, and science are clearly labeled as such in CHC’s daily lesson plans, making it delightfully easy to trim the day’s schedule as needed. CHC’s flexible program allows non-core subjects, such as Latin, art, and penmanship, to be returned to the schedule as time permits; the focus on core subjects ensures that the student will be exposed to all that is necessary for his grade level, without placing undue demands on student or teacher in times of family “overload.”

Q: Do the page numbers in this lesson plan match the 1st or 2nd edition of the Earth Science textbook?

A: This lesson plan matches the 2nd edition of the Earth Science textbook. There are very few differences between the 1st edition and the 2nd edition. A minor change in the wording of Chapter 4 of the 2nd edition creates a 2-page discrepancy in the page numbers for the rest of the book. However, the lesson plans would still be easy to follow with the 1st edition because the plans refer to chapter and section numbers in the text as well as to page numbers.

Q: I like the idea of lesson plans, but want to retain control over what I teach and when I teach it. I am wary of plans that are overstructured. Can you give me an idea of CHC’s approach?

A: CHC lesson plans combine the flexibility of a self-designed curriculum with the reassurance of knowing that one is providing a complete education. By following CHC’s lesson plans, homeschooling parents have the assurance that “all the bases are covered,” so that they can relax and enjoy sharing in the academic discoveries of their children. With CHC’s lesson plans, the family tailors the studies to fit the family; with public school, private school, or a very structured home study school, the program tailors the family to fit the studies.

Q: I would like to purchase one copy of the lesson plans and copy it for my other children. Would this break the copyright since I’m only using them with my children and not a group?

A: The copyright on lesson plans is a standard copyright, which allows unlimited use of the material as long as copies are not made of the work. If families were to photocopy the plans for more than one child – for all the children in the family – then the price of the plans would have to be much higher. The additional bonus to using one lesson plan per child is twofold: You will enjoy writing in the plans and having a permanent record to look back on, and we are constantly updating and adding new materials and ideas when we reprint each lesson plan. We both win when the copyright law is honored; CHC and its authors and artists receive payment they have earned, which in turn enables CHC to continue to publish more materials for your growing family!